Atrium Health Navicent to implement seasonal visitor restrictions, mask policies on Thursday

Atrium Health Navicent announced Wednesday it will implement seasonal temporary visitor restrictions and masking policies at its locations due to a recent increase in respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, flu and RSV.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Atrium Health Navicent announced Wednesday it will implement seasonal temporary visitor restrictions and masking policies at its locations due to a recent increase in respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, flu and RSV. 

Starting Thursday, December 7 at 7 a.m.., visitors 12 and younger will not be allowed to visit patients in any system hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation locations. (See the full list at the bottom of this story.)

In certain situations, such as visiting a dying family member, the patient’s care team could make arrangements for visitors under 12. 

Visitor guidelines are as follows:

• Visitation hours will be held 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
• General inpatient units at Atrium Health Navicent hospitals may have four (4) visitors daily. One (1) adult
  visitor/caregiver over the age of 18 years of age may stay with the patient from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. See special
  considerations for COVID-19 patient visitation.
• Intensive care units at Atrium Health Navicent hospitals may have four (4) visitors daily with two (2)
  visitors/caregivers at the bedside at a time. One (1) visitor may stay overnight.
• Visitors age 12 and under are not allowed to visit hospitals or inpatient rehabilitation facilities unless under special
  circumstances as described in the “Special Considerations” section below.
• Visitors must:
  • Be screened at the front entrance of the hospital.
  • Be in good health (free of respiratory illness, fever cough, etc.)

Can Covid-19 patients have visitors?

Yes. Atrium Health Navicent says patients exhibiting symptoms of respiratory illness including influenza, RSV and COVID-19 may have visitors.

Guidelines:

• Visitors must wear a mask and may wear other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including a gown, gloves, and eye protection, which will be provided upon request.
• The visitor must stay in the patient’s room at all times with the door closed and will utilize a designated restroom based on the patient’s location.
• Visitors are urged to eat prior to arrival, but to remain at least six (6) feet away from the patient before removing a mask to eat.
• At the conclusion of the visit, visitors must exit the facility without visiting any other location.

Mask policy back in place

In addition to the visitor restrictions, Atrium Health Navicent is putting its masking policy back in place. Masks will be required when entering a patient’s room in acute care hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals and units, emergency departments, skilled nursing facilities, inpatient hospice, infusion centers and certain cancer care areas.

Special considerations regarding mask policy:

• Special circumstances will be managed by the treating physician and nursing unit leadership.
• Patients in hospice or palliative care may have two (2) visitors at a time at the bedside and one (1) visitor overnight.
• Exceptions, as determined by the treating physician and facility leadership, may include:
  • End of life circumstances
  • Communication barriers
  • Caregiver/decision making assistance needed
  • Physical, emotional or psychiatric concerns where a caregiver is necessary

All of the above will be in effect at the following locations:

• Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital
• Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center
• Atrium Heath Navicent Baldwin
• Atrium Health Navicent Peach
• Atrium Health Navicent Rehabilitation Hospital
• Atrium Health Navicent emergency rooms, urgent care centers, clinics and diagnostics centers

Hospital officials are reminding individuals to stay home when they are sick and to cover their nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing. They also advise people to wash their hands regularly and stay up to date on all vaccines to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.

For more information, click here.